Steam-actuated valve.



No. 760,122. 'PATENTEDMAY 17, 1904.

A. .1. HOLMBERG. l

STEAM AGTUATBD VALVE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 29. 1903.

1m MODEL. 2 SHEETS-sum1' 1 WJTNESSES;

No. 760,122. PATBNTED MAY 17, 1904.- A. J. HOLMBERG.

STEAM AGTUATBD VALVE.'

APPLIUATION FILED BEPT.29. 17903.

WITNESS/Es- INI/:ENTOR me Houma PUERS CD, uom-nwo.. wAsmNnTnu. n. c

No. I260,122.

UNITED STATES -Patentec'i May 1'7, 1904..

PATENT OEEICE.

STEAM-ACTUATED VALVE.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No.. 760,122, dated May 17, 1904. Application led September 29, 1903. Serial No. 175,035. (No model.)

To @ZZ wiz/m t mfr/y concern:

Be it known that I, Anvil) J. Hom/mene, of Battlecreek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful .Improvements in Steam-Actuated Valves; and I hereby declare that the' following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in steamactuated valves for engines, pumps, Sac.; and its object is to produce a simple, compact, and reliablevalve mechanism whereby the main valve of the engine will be shifted automatically at the proper times by steam-pressure, the shifting of the main valve being controlled by subsidiary valves operated by live steam and by exhaust-steam alternately and controlled by the position and movements of the main piston.

The invention dispenses with sliafting, gearing, eccentrics, and mechanical valve-operating mechanism, and may be compactly contained in a small cylinderl adjacent to or formed in the main-valve casing and communicating therewith.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention as applied to the main slide-valve of a reciprocating piston-engine.

I refer to the claims for summaries ot' the` constructions and combinations `of parts for which protection is desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 isasectional elevation of the main-valve chest, valve, and main ports of a reciprocating piston-engine, showing the piston at the end of its left-hand stroke in full lines and partly advanced on its return stroke in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the main valve and the controlling-valves, showing the position of the valves when the piston is in the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the valves in positions assumed when the main piston has moved (toward the right) to the position indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similarview 5G showing the valves in the position assumed the main-valve chamber.

when the piston has reached the right-hand end of its stroke. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 5 5, Fig. 1.

The cylinder 1 is providedwith the usual main steam-ports 1L and 1, which lead to the main-Valve chamber 4, in which is a D-slide valve 3, having ports 3 31 in its ends adapted to alternately register with ports 1LL and 1" and also having' a central passage 3, adapted to alternately establish communication between ports 11L and 1" and the exhaust port or passage 2. The main valve 3 has a yoke on its upper end embracing a rod 6, which is flanged at each side of the yoke and is connected at its opposite ends to piston-valves 6V outermost piston-valves 13 13b are connected by a hollow valve-rod 13, so that they move synchronously.

The space or chamber 10 between valve 13lL and end of the casing is connected by a port 10u with the adjacent end of cylinder 1, while the space or chamber 10 between 13 and adjacent end of casing is connected by a port 10 with the adjacent end of cylinder 1. The

\ valves 13L 13h alternately close and open these ports 10a and 10b, respectively;

Surrounding stem 13 is a sleeve 12, which `is shorter than the stem and has on its ends Apiston-valves 12 and 121 and intermediate the latter two separated piston-valves 12c and 12". The part of sleeve 12 intermediate valves 12 and 12d may be of larger diameter than stem 13 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The space or chamber 9 between valves 12 and 13u is connected by a port 9 with the adjacent end ot' cylinder 1, while the space or chamber 9 between valves 13" and 12b is con- 100 at' times with chamber 8 when valve 13 is inl nected by a port 9 with the adjacent end ot cylinder 1.- The ports 9 9 open into cylinder 1 between the ports 10 and 10. rl`he space or chamber 11 between pistons 12 and 12c is connected at times by port 7 with the chamber 7. The space or chamber 11' between valves 121 and 12 is connected at times by port 7 with the chamber 7'. Chamber 11 always communicates with the main -valve chamber by a port 4, and chamber 11' is similarly always in communication .with chamber 4 through a port 4. The space or chamber 8 between valves 12 and 12l communicates alternately with chambers 7 and 7' through ports 7 and 7, according to the position ot' the valves. Said chamber 8 also always communicates by a port 8' with the exhaust-passage 2,' as shown` in Fig. 5. The' valve 13 alternately opens and closes the ports 10 and 9, and valve 13 alternately opens and closes the ports 9 and 10, The valve 12C alternately establishes communication'between port 7 and chamber 11 and port 7 and chamber 8. The valve, 12d alternatelyestablishes communication between port 7 and chamber 11and port 7 and chamber 8. Chamber`9 attimes communicates with the chamber 8 when valve 13 is in its innermost position by means of a port 9 in the body ot' valve 13, adapted to communicate with an annular port 9d in the'wall surrounding ythe valve, port 9(l communicating with the hollow stem V13 th'rougha radial port 9e in valvef13, and the hollow stem 'communicates with chamber V8 through Yopenings y13f and 12, as shown in Fig. 4. Chamber 9' similarly communicates its innermost'position by ports 9E," 9g, 9, 13, and 12, as shown in Fig. 2.

Operation: Assuming thepiston to havejust moved to the position shown in full lines, Fig.` 1 exhaust-steam passes-through kport 9 into chamber 9, driving pistons 12 12'C 12112 to the right' to the position shown in Fig, 2, Valve 12 uncovers port 7 andpermitting live steam to pass from chamber 4 through ports 4, chamber 11, portv 7 to chamber7, forcing the main valve 3 to the right, as shown in Fig. 1. rAt same timevalve 121 establishes communicationbetween port'7" and chamber 8, so that steam escapes't'rom chamber 7 through port 7,"Ychamber 8, and port v8 to exhaust 2. At same time steam escapes from chamber-'9' through ports 9f 9g 9, stem 13,

portto chamber 8 and port 8 to exhaust 2.

As the main piston moves to the right it first closes port' 9 and then opensport 10 whenY kitreaches the position indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 1. Live steam then passes through DO It 10 to'ehamber 10 and drives valves '13"f 13 tothe right, valve 13closing port 9 and `Iestablishing communication between ports 9c cuts O communication between ports 9f and 9g, the position of parts during the principal part of the right-hand stroke of main piston being shown in Fig. 3. When main piston has moved to the right suiiiciently to close port 10 and uncover port 9, steam passes from the cylinder and through port 9 into chamber 9', driving valves 12 12b 12C 12d to the left; Valve 12d then establishes communication between port 7b and chamber 11',

kso live steam passes from chamber 4 through port 4, chamber 11', port 7 to chamber 7', driving the main piston-valve to the left. Valve 12 simultaneously closes communication between port 7V and chamber 11 and establishes communication between chamber 7 and the exhaust through port 7 chamber 8, and port 8. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. .4. On the initial return movement of the main piston to the left vthe valves are shiftedbach to the positions shown in Fig. 2 by the action of the steam, as first above described. I thus have a steam-actuated valve system by which the main valve is shifted automatically and at proper times,

-and it will be noted that valves 13 13 are moved in the samedirection as the mainpiston after the latterV has started on its stroke, while valves 12', 12, 12, and 12` are moved in a direction opposite to that of themain piston just as orwbetore the latter reaches the ends ofvits strokes;- also, that .the main valve is shifted by direct live-steam pressure, the valves 13 13 by high-pressuresteam in the cylinder, and the other valves by low-pres when steam entersone from main cylinder the other end of main ,cylinder is exhausting Having thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure byf Letters Patent thereon,y isv 1. In combination witl the main cylinder and piston, themainvalve, and piston-valves connected thereto; a pairof controlling-valves, ports leading from the main I cylinder tothe controlling-valveA chambers; a set of inner valves `interposed between the controllingf. valves; the space'between the set of valves- IOO IIO

izo

being divided into an inner chamber communicatin g with the exhaust, and two outer chambers communicating with the steam-supply;

ports leading from^ the main cylinder to the spaces between the controlling-valves andthe adjacent inner valves; and ports leading from the piston-valve chambers adapted to be respectively andalternately put into communication with the exhaust, and with the live steam, by the shifting of said inner valves, substantially as and i'or the purpose described.

2. In combination with the main cylinder and piston, the main valve, and piston-valves connected thereto for shiftin g it; a pair of connected controlling-valves; ports leading from the main cylinder to the controlling-valve chambers; a series of connected valves interposed between the controllingvalves; the space between the connected valves being divided into three chambers, the inner one communicating .with the exhaust, and the outer ones communicating with the live-steam supply; ports leading from the main cylinder to the spaces between the controlling-valves and the adjacent connected valves; and ports leading from the piston-valve chambers adapted to be respectively and alternately put into communication with the exhaust, and with the live steam, by the shifting of said connected valves, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In combination with the main cylinder and piston, the main valve, and piston-valves con nectcd thereto; a pair of controlling-valves,

ports leading from the main cylinder to the controlling-valve chambers; a set of inner valves interposed between the controllingvalves, the space between the set oi' valves being divided into an inner chamber communicating with the exhaust, and two outer chambers communicating with the steam-supply; ports leading from the main cylinder to the spaces between the controlling-valves and the adjacentinner valves; and ports leading' from the piston-valve chambers` adapted to be respectively and alternately put into communication with the exhaust, and with the live steam, by the shifting oi said inner valves; ports leading through the controlling-valves and their connecting valve-stem adapted to establish communication between the exhaust and the spaces between the controlling-valves and adjacent connected valves.A

4;. In combination, themain engine-cylinder, its main piston, and main Valve, the piston-valves connected to said main piston for shifting it; a pair of controlling-valves; four connected valves slidably arranged between said controlling-valves, the space between the two innermost connected valves communicating with the exhaust; the spaces between the outer pairs of connected valves communicating with the live-steam chamber continually; ports leading from the cylinder to the controlling-valve chambers; ports leading from the cylinder to the spaces between the controlling-valves and the adjacent connected valves; ports adapted to establish communication between the said spaces and the exhaust; and ports leading from the piston-valve chambers and adapted to be alternately and respectively put into communication with one oi' the steam-chambers; and with the exhaust-chamber between the connected valves.

5, In combination, the main cylinder, its piston, and main valve, and piston-valves for shifting the same; a pair of connected valves, steam-ports leading from the chambers of said valves to the main cylinder; a second pair of connected valves intermediatezthe first-mentioned valves, steam-ports leading' from the chambers between the adjacent valves or' the lirst and second sets t0 the main cylinder; a third pair of valves interposed between and moving with the second pair of valves, the space between the third'valves communicating with the exhaust and the spaces between the adjoining' valves of the second and third sets respectively communicating with Vthe livesteam supply; and ports leading to the pistonvalve chambers, and controlled by the third set of valves, and adapted to be alternately put in communication with the live-steam space and the exhaust-space by said third valves, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a pair oi' valves, a set of valves intermediate the first-mentioned valves and movable independently thereof, and dividing the space between said Valves into iive chambers, the central chamber communicating with the exhaust; the two adjacent chambers communicating with the steamsupply space; and the two outer chambers adapted to communicate alternately with the main cylinder, and with the exhaust, through said hollow stem; with ports leading from the main cylinder to the first valve-chambers, ports leadingi'rom the main cylinder to the two outer chambers; the main-valve-operating pistons; and ports leading from said piston-chambers adapted to be alternately put in communication with one of the steam-chambers, and with the exhaust, according to the positions of the valves, substantially as described.

7. In combination, the main engine-cylinder, its main piston, and main valve, the piston-valves connected to said main piston for shifting it; a pair of controlling-valves, connected by a tubular stem, four connected valves slidably arranged upon the stem of said controlling-valves, the space between the two innermost connected valves communicating with the exhaustV and with the hollow stem;

the spaces between the outer pai rs of connected valves communicating with the livesteam chamber continually; ports leading from the cylinder to the controlling-valve chambers; ports leading from the cylinder to the spaces between the respective controlling-valves and theadjacent connected valves; ports in the controlling-valve and adjacent wall, adapted to establish communication between the said spaces and the tubular stem, and therethrough to the exhaust; and ports leading from the piston-valve chambers and adapted to be al- IOO IIO

intermediate the first valves, actuated by low steam-pressure in the cylinder, and controlling the admission and exhaust of live steam tothe main-Valve pistons.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Y ARVID J. HOLMBERG.

In presence of- VVILL. A. GABY, E. W LUNN. 

